EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA4 - Littoral mixed sediment > MA42 - Atlantic littoral mixed sediment > MA423 - Unvegetated Atlantic littoral mixed sediment > MA4232 - Hediste diversicolor in Atlantic littoral gravelly muddy sand and gravelly sandy mud > MA42324 - Hediste diversicolor, cirratulids and Tubificoides spp. in littoral gravelly sandy mud

Hediste diversicolor, cirratulids and Tubificoides spp. in littoral gravelly sandy mud

Description (English)

Sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to variable salinity. The infaunal community consists of the ragworm Hediste diversicolor, Pygospio elegans, Streblospio shrubsolii, and cirratulid polychaetes such as Tharyx killariensis. Nematodes and oligochaetes occur, as well as the bivalve Limecola balthica (Macoma balthica). Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this biotope and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope unit MA6-224. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with this unit present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is MA6-224.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA42324
Relation to	Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Estuaries	1130	Overlap	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide	1140	Overlap

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Macoma balthica

Invertebrates Streblospio shrubsolii

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Macoma balthica		Invertebrates
Streblospio shrubsolii		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.4114	Hediste diversicolor, cirratulids and Tubificoides spp. in littoral gravelly sandy mud	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.4114	Hediste diversicolor, cirratulids and Tubificoides spp. in littoral gravelly sandy mud	same

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